Luke Chapter 20 · Verse 9
Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
the people
G2992
λαὸν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
5 of 21
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
λέγειν
to speak
G3004
λέγειν
to speak
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραβολὴν
parable
G3850
παραβολὴν
parable
Strong's:
G3850
Word #:
8 of 21
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
ταύτην·
G3778
ταύτην·
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐφύτευσεν
planted
G5452
ἐφύτευσεν
planted
Strong's:
G5452
Word #:
12 of 21
to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
it
G846
αὐτὸν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπεδήμησεν
went into a far country
G589
ἀπεδήμησεν
went into a far country
Strong's:
G589
Word #:
19 of 21
to go abroad, i.e., visit a foreign land
Historical Context
Tenant farming was common in first-century Palestine. Wealthy landowners would lease vineyards to tenant farmers who paid rent with a portion of the produce. The arrangement described—an absentee landlord and tenant farmers—was familiar. Isaiah 5:1-7 established vineyard imagery for Israel, making Jesus' allusion unmistakable to His audience. The parable's trajectory would shock listeners: tenant farmers rejecting the owner's authority was unthinkable, yet it perfectly described Israel's treatment of God's prophets throughout history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the vineyard imagery connect Jesus' teaching to Israel's prophetic tradition?
- What does God's "far country" absence teach about His patient forbearance and humanity's stewardship responsibility?
- In what ways do religious leaders today sometimes act as owners rather than stewards of God's people?
Analysis & Commentary
Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time—Jesus shifts from the hostile leaders to the people, speaking a parable (παραβολήν, parabolēn) that will indict the Sanhedrin. The vineyard imagery evokes Isaiah 5:1-7, where God's vineyard is Israel. The "certain man" (ἄνθρωπός τις, anthrōpos tis) represents God; the "husbandmen" (γεωργοῖς, geōrgois, tenant farmers) represent Israel's religious leaders entrusted with God's people.
The phrase "went into a far country for a long time" (ἀπεδήμησεν χρόνους ἱκανούς, apedemēsen chronous hikanous) indicates God's patient forbearance—the owner trusts the tenants and gives them time and freedom to manage the vineyard. This extended absence tests their faithfulness. Will they honor the owner's rights, or will they act as if the vineyard belongs to them? The parable prophetically describes Israel's history: God entrusted His covenant people to leaders who increasingly acted as if they owned rather than stewarded God's inheritance.